People swear more colourfully when they are in a emotionally aroused state. This suggests that swearing is closely related to emotion.

This is the finding of a research project, funded by the British Psychological Society’s 2013 Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme, by Amy Zile and Dr Richard Stephens from Keele University.

The study, along with eight other winning research projects, will be presented today, Wednesday 7 May 2014, at the British Psychological Society annual conference hosted at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham.

Amy Zile said: “There is still uncertainty as to why people swear. Is it due to not being articulate and low IQ or it is a form of emotional expression? If it is a form of emotional expression then understanding the processes involved is an important part of understanding human emotion.

Our study found that when we raised people’s emotional arousal level they became more proficient at swearing such that they were able to produce a greater number of different swear words and expressions in a one-minute period. This provides experimental support for the theory that swearing is emotional language.”

Other recipients of the British Psychological Society’s 2013 Undergraduate Research Assistantship Scheme presenting are:‘Does intoxication influence environmental effects on drinking behaviour?’ Marianne Erskine-Shaw and Dr Kate Bennett, University of Liverpool.

‘The impact of a ward-based psychological intervention on outcomes in people with psychosis: a case note review.’ Isabelle Butcher, Cardiff University and Dr Katherine Berry, University of Manchester.